Electric combination lock



Nov. 3, 1936. E. E. TEUBNER ELECTRIC COMBINATION LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan 24, 1956 INVENTOR. Edmundflfeubner,

@W 5 ATTORNEY NOV. 3, 1936. TEUBNER 2,059,919

ELECTRIC COMBINATION LOCK Filed Jan. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WH HIMJNVENTOR, Jdmundi7-Jeubne2;

A TTORN E Y Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICCOMBINATION LOCK Application .ianuary 24, 1936, Serial No. 60,573

7 Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide improvements in electricallycontrolled locks broadly, and particularly in that type which isespecially designed for use as a part of, or in association with, banklockers, vaults and other forms of receptacles or compartments.

Another object is to provide an improved system of wiring, and ingeneral the assembly of the apparatus, whereby the operation andfunctioning of the lock is made possible.

A further object is to provide an improved lock mechanism as a part ofthe lock system, but which might be employed in other systems ofconstruction and operation.

Still another object is to provide a look by which a predetermined timedelay is possible, between the time at which the combination iscompleted and the mechanism permits the opening of the door or otherclosure, and also more specifically a lock in which the time delay canbe determined or set by the operator at the time of actuating thecombination mechanism, as compared with the present arrangements orconstructions in which the time delay must have been set before closingof the door.

Still further objects comprise the provision of a lock of this generalcharacter, which can be controlled from a remote locality; a lock andassociated electro-mechanical system in which the same is automaticallyre-set to the starting point, immediately upon a mistake being made inthe combination; a lock which is particularly adapted to a ready changein the combination with which it is operable; a lock which, whileusually subject to a time delay, can be operated to permit opening ofthe closure almost instantly, irrespective of whether the time delay isor is not functioning; a lock which requires but a single hole throughthe door or wall of a compartment, and which is therefore adapted foruse in place of old lock installations; a lock comprising a single dialand supporting shaft, in combination with a switch which is also carriedby said shaft, and is actuatable when the dial has been set at anydesired position; together with other improved details of constructionand operation, which are hereinafter fully brought out in the followingdescription, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of the improved lock, andthe system of which the lock is an integral part; Fig. 2 is a horizontalsectional View through a lock of improved construction; and Fig. 3 is avertical section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the lock mechanism will be first described.This device comprises an annular dial I, carried by a tubular shaft 2,which extends rotatably through an aperture 3 in the vault, locker, orother form of closure 4. To the rear surface of said closure is securedby any suitable means a housing 5, into which the opposite or inner endportion of the shaft 2 exends. Within said housing is positioned a wall6, supported by means of brackets l, and carryinga series of electricalcontacts 8, which are concentric with an annular contact 9. Suitableterminals l and H extend from the contacts 8 and 9 through said wall 6,for the connection of wires or other form of conductors, while thesingle annular contact 9 is connected to the contacts 8 selectively bymeans of a resilient conductor l2, carried by but preferably insulatedfrom the shaft 2, and providing oppositely extending switch arms, whichslidably engage said contacts, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The shaft 2 furthermore extends loosely through an aperture l3 in thewall 6 and serves as a guide for a pin [4, the inner end of which pinengages and is adapted to flex the resilient contact member intoengagement with a second contact member l6, both of said contact membersbeing supported by a single post I! if desired. The outer or oppositeend of said pin extends loosely through the dial l, and into theenlarged axial recess I 8 of a centrally positioned knob I9, the outerportion of which recess is substantially closed by a manually engageablepushbutton 20, against which bears a compression springs 2|, theopposite end of which spring bears against the inner wall or shoulder 22of said recess, and normally maintains said button and pin in outermostposition, and permits the contact l5 to normally remain separated fromthe contact l6.

Within the housing 5 is also positioned an auxiliary housing 23, fromwhich extends the reciprocatable dog 24, which in turn normally entersthe recess 25 of a bolt 26, and thus prevents the recession of said boltto release and permit opening of the closure 4, until said dog isretracted from said recess by the energizing of the solenoid coil 21,for which the element 24 serves as an' armature. (Fig. 1). The inter-'relation of the dial and latch mechanisms will be hereinafter described,as a part of the electrical system of which they form essential parts.

Electrical system In Fig. 1 the switch member I2 is shown operativelypositioned with relation to the contacts 8, and the pushbutton 20 isshown as being able to connect the leads or terminals l5 and I6, thefirst of which is connected by a wire 28 to leads from a source 29 ofelectricity, preferably six volts direct current, the opposite wire fromsaid source of current being grounded, as indicated at 30.

In Fig. 1 is also represented a single shaft 3|, to which are securedswitch elements 32, 33, 34 and 35, which are rotatable with said shaft,so as to selectively engage contacts as follows:element 32 with seriesof contacts 32a, element 33 with series of contacts 33a, element 34 withthe single contact 34a, and the element 35 with the contacts 35a, 35b,35c and 35d selectively. The shaft 3| also carries a ratchet wheel 36,which is engaged by a pawl 31, said pawl being normally in the left-handposition, as shown in Fig. 1, under pressure by a suitable spring, andbeing shifted therefrom by the armature 38 when the solenoid coil 39 isenergized, such shifting of said armature simultaneously opening orbreaking contact between the contact members 40 and 4|.

The several contact points 8 of the dial switch, or predeterminedportions of the same, are connected by groups of wires 42 and 43 tocorresponding contact points 32a and 33a, respectively, with theexception that one of the contact points 44 of the first group isconnected by a wire 45 to the last of a series of relay coils 4T, 48,49, and 5|, and thence to the ground, while one of the second group ofcontact points 52 is connected by a wire 53 to the relay coil 50 andthence to the ground, as well as to one side of the relay contact 50a.

In the upper right-hand portion of the drawings, a synchronous motor 54is indicated as carrying upon its shaft a cam 55, having a radiallyraised portion 56, which with each rotation of the cam causes thecontact member 51 to engage the similar member 58, the period ofrotation of said cam being as desired, but in this case geared to beonce per minute in a BO-cycle alternating current. This motor and themotoractuated contacts are included for the purpose of controlling thetime delay in the release of the improved lock, following the dialing ofthe combination, and the setting of whatever period of delay may bedesired.

Referring to the several relays, the first relay 46 has two sets ofnormally open contacts 46a and 46b, the closing of the latter beingdelayed slightly following closing of the former, due to the latterhaving a greater distance than the former to move; the relay 41 has asingle normally closed contact 41a; the relay 48 has three sets ofcontacts 48a, 48b and Mia, the first two of which are normally open andthe third being normally closed; relay 49 has three sets of contacts49a, 49b and 490, the first two of which are normally open and the thirdbeing normally closed; the relay 5|] has four sets of contacts 50a, 50b,50c and 50d, the first three of which are normally open and the fourthbeing normally closed; and the relay 5| has three sets of contacts 5|a,5H) and 5lc, the first two of which are normally open and the thirdbeing normally closed. There is also a pilot light 59 connected betweenthe relay contacts 5| a and the ground for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. Also, a twoway switch 60 is adapted to connect either of thetwo contact points 3517 and 35d through the wire BI and the relaycontacts 490 to the source of current 29, depending upon whether thecombination is arranged to be operated after four or eight positions ofthe dial switch l2, as the case may be. Further than the foregoing, itis unnecessary to point out each wire by individual numerals, theinterconnection and cooperative functioning of the various elementsinvolved being described as follows:-

Operation In accordance with the usual practice, a definite combinationof numerals (or other indicia) is dialed by rotation of the dial 1, torepresent or determine the proper sequence in which the contact points 8are engaged by the switch member l2. However, instead of having toalternately reverse the direction of rotation of the dial, as in thecase of mechanical combination locks, employing tumblers or other purelymechanical means, the dial in the present case can be turned in the samedirection, or in the reverse direction, or as many times as desired inone direction or the other, since no part of the lock mechanism isactuated until the button 20 is manually depressed, and at that the saidmechanism operates only if said button is depressed (and the contactsl5-l6 closed), when the dial switch i2 is in engagement with the propercontact point at the proper place in a predetermined sequence.

Having these facts in mind, and assuming for the present that the dialis so operated that the proper sequence is followed, the button 20 isdepressed, thereby closing relay 46 through the wires 62 and 28. Asthere is a slight delay between the closing of the contacts 46a and 46b,closing of the former causes current to flow through closed contacts490, closed contacts 48c, switch member 33, switch contact 53, and dialswitch l2, relay contacts 50d, relay contacts 46a, solenoid 39 andthence to the ground, while also passing from contacts 46a through relaycoil 47 and thence to the ground. The armature 38 and pawl 3'! of therotary switch are drawn back, engaging the next tooth of ratchet wheel36. Relay contacts 41a also operate to open the connection between thecontacts 4% and the circuit through the relay coil 48, thus preventingthe coil 48 from being energized, when contacts 462) finally close afterthe delay hereinbeiore referred to.

Upon manual release of pushbutton 20, relays 46 and 41 are de-energized,permitting the pawl 31 to return to its normal position under pressureof its spring. This movement of the ratchet wheel 36 one tooth, eiiectsa movement of the switch members 32, 33, 34 and 35, so that they restupon and in contact with the next adjacent contact point. This processis then repeated, using the next correct number of the combinationsequence, which is represented or indicated by the number on the dial I,which act will complete a connection from the switch member l2 tocontact point 65 through contact point 66, and thence through the relaycoils and contacts, as hereinbefore described.

When the pushbutton is released, after depressing the same upon dialingthe fourth or the eighth number in the combination, as the case may be,the switch member 33 moves to the con tact point 52, completing acircuit through contacts 49c, 4230, switch member 33 and said contactpoint 52 and relay coil 50, energizing and closing the relay 59, whichis then maintained in closed position through its contacts 50a, saidcircuit through contacts 50a being supplied through 490, contact segment35a, switch member 35, contacts 50a and said coil 50.

Supposing that a three-minute delay is desired in the release of thelook after completion of the dialing of the combination, switch member12 is set on contact point 68, which by pre-arrangement is the numbercorresponding to this particular period of delay. The pushbutton is thendepressed, energizing relay coil 46 and closing contacts 46: and 46bconsecutively. There being no circuit through contacts 46a, relay 4'!does not operate to open its contacts 410.. Therefore, when contacts461) close, a circuit is completed through contacts 49c, 46b, 41a andcoil 48, closing the contacts 48a, 48b and 480, current then flowingthrough contacts 48a to maintain the coil 48 energized and its threesets of contacts closed or open as the case may be. This holding circuitis made through contacts 490, switch segment 35a, switch member 35,contacts 48a and coil 48. A circuit is then completed through contacts490, 48b, interruptor contacts 4|40 and coil 39, causing the armature 38to operate rapidly to and fro, and rotating the ratchet wheel 36 and thefour switch members 32, 33, 34 and 35, until the switch member 32reaches the contact point 69, a circuit is completed through contactsswitch member 32, contact points 69 and 68, switch member l2, contacts560, and coil of relay 49, closing contacts 49d and 49b and openingcontacts 490.

Opening of contacts 490, breaks the circuit through segments 34a-35a,switch member 34 .and contacts 48a, de-energizing coil 48, contacts 48bin opening breaks the circuit through interrupter contacts 4ll4l andsolenoid coil 39, stopping switch member 32 on contact 69. Contacts 491)complete a circuit through contacts 51c and 49b and maintaining coil 49energized. Contacts 49a close .a 110 volt 60 cycle alternating currentcircuit through the field coil of the synchronous motor 54, rotating camwheel 55 at the rate of one revolution per minute. Towards the end ofeach minute cam 56 closes the contact 51 against contact 58, completinga circuit through contacts 5| 0, contacts 51 and 58, solenoid coil 39.When the high point 56 of the cam releases contact 51 from contact 58,this circuit is broken, and the switch members are advanced to the nextcontact points.

This action is repeated each minute until switch member 32 moves uponcontact point 44, when a circuit is completed through contacts 582),switch member 32, contact point 44 and coil 5|, closing contacts 5| aand 5H), and opening contacts 5lc. The opening of contacts 5lc breaksthe circuit through holding contacts 49b, thereby de-energizing the coil49 and releasing its contacts, which breaks the circuit through andstops the motor 54, while the closing of contacts 5lb completes acircuit through the latch solenoid 21, permitting the door or otherclosure to be opened. Simultaneously, contacts 5la effect a lighting ofpilot light 59, thus visibly indicating that the dog has been released.

Locking of the door is accomplished by depressing the pushbutton, themechanism functioning the same as when error has been made in dialingthe numbers of the correct combination employed. The switch member 32moves off of contact point 44, breaking the circuit to and releasing therelay 5|, which in turn breaks the circuit through the latch solenoid 21and pilot light 59. The lock is then ready to be re-operated.

number, the mechanism fails to operate. Should, however, the firstnumber be dialed correctly and a later number dialed incorrectly, thefollowing takes place:

Pushbutton 20 upon being depressed upon an incorrect number, energizesthe relay 46 and closes contacts 46a and 46b, as hereinbefore described.The circuit through contacts 46a being broken at the dial switch memberl2, neither the coil 39 nor the coil of relay 41 is energized.Consequently, when the contacts 4619 close, a circuit is completedthrough contacts 490, 46b, 41a and relay coil 46, thereby closingcontacts 46a and 48b and opening contacts 480. Relay 48 is held inoperation by the closing of contacts 48a as above described. A circuitthrough solenoid coil 39, interruptor contacts 40-4| is also closed, ashad also been described above, and the connection to switch members 32and 33 through contacts 480 is broken, preventing the operator fromcontrolling the device by means of the dial and pushbutton, until thecombination is fully ciphered. The rotary switch continues to operateautomatically until its switch member 35 reaches the contact point 3501.The connection between the segment 35a and switch member 35 is broken,breaking the circuit through holding contacts 48a. and coil 48, whichthereby releases the relay 48, and arrests the motion of the rotaryswitch 36 by breaking the circuit through the interruptor contacts 404|and solenoid 39, at the contacts 48?). The switch members of the rotaryswitch are now again in their respective initial positions, and thecombination may be re-dialed as hereinbefore described. For quenchng thespark between the contacts 46 and 4|, a condenser H and choke coil 12may be used in accordance with common practice, but it is understoodthat these play no part in the functioning of the improved lock orsystem as herein described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electric combination lock, comprising a support, a dial rotatablycarried by said support, lock-actuating mechanism, electric contactsalso carried by said support and controlling the operation of said lockmechanism, and a pushbutton carried by said dial and operative to beactuated to close said contacts in each position as said dial is shiftedthrough a plurality of predetermined positions in proper sequence.

2. An electric combination lock, comprising a support having anaperture, a tubular member rotatably positioned in and extending thrusaid aperture, a dial carried by the outer end portion of said member, aplurality of contacts upon the opposite side of said support, a switchelement carried by the opposite end portion of said member and adaptedto cooperate with said contacts selectively, as indicated by theposition of said dial, and a manually actuatable electric switch uponthe said opposite side of said support and extending thru said tubularmember to the outer side of said support and said dial, and adapted tobe closed when said switch element is in engagement with said definitecontacts of said plurality in predetermined sequence, to operate saidlock.

3. The combination of a locking mechanism, with an electric systemcomprising means to release said mechanism, a circuit selectormechanism, a series of contacts and a separate switch, a rotatable dial,and a switch member rotatable with said dial and adapted to engage saidcontacts selectively, said separate switch being manually actuatable ineach position as said dial is shifted through a plurality ofpre-determined positions in proper sequence to so energize said systemas to release said lock mechanism.

4. The combination of a locking mechanism, with an electric systemcomprising means to release said mechanism, a circuit selectormechanism, a series of contacts and a separate switch, a rotatable dial,a switch member rotatable with said dial and adapted to engage saidcontacts selectively, said separate switch being manually actuatablewhen said switch member is in contact with certain of said contactsselectively, to so energize said system as to release said lockmechanism, and means in said system to delay the release of saidmechanism, following the completion of the dialing of the propercombination of contacts and actuation of said separate switch.

5. The combination of a locking mechanism, with an electric systemcomprising means to release said mechanism, a circuit selectormechanism, a series of contacts and a separate switch, a rotatable dial,a switch member rotatable with said dial and adapted to engage saidcontacts selectively, said separate switch being manually actuatablewhen said switch member is in contact with certain of said contactsselectively, to so energize said system as to release said lockmechanism, and electrical means in said system, operable after thecompletion of the dialing of said switch member upon certain of saidcontacts in predetermined sequence, and the manual closing of theseparate switch, following each such dialing, to permit the dialing of afurther contact and corresponding closing of said separate switch,thereby causing a selectively predetermined period of delay in therelease of said lock mechanism following the completion of the dialingoperation.

6. A delayed electric lock release system, comprising a circuit selectormechanism, a dial switch having a plurality of contact positions, aseparate switch adapted to be actuated following the dialing of eachsuch contact position in its proper order, a lock release mechanism, anda time delay element operative when set in operation by the dialing ofan additional contact position and the subsequent closing of saidseparate switch, to actuate said lock release mechanism after apredetermined interval following the completion of said dialing, asdetermined by the particular additional contact position at which saiddial is set for the final closing of said separate switch.

7. A delayed electric lock release system, comprising a circuit selectormechanism, a dial switch having a plurality of contact positions, aseparate switch adapted to be actuated following the dialing of eachsuch contact position in its proper order, a lock release mechanism, atime delay element operative when set in operation by the dialing of anadditional contact position and the subsequent closing of said separateswitch, to actuate said lock release mechanism after a predeterminedinterval following the completion of said dialing, as determined by theparticular additional contact position at which said dial is set for thefinal closing of said separate switch, and means in said system toautomatically return said selector mechanism to its initial position,upon said separate switch being actuated following an incorrect sequencein the dialing of said contact positions.

EDMUND E. TEUBNER.

